Supporting our Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Community

A Note from Director Elisia Cohen

Dear Hubbard School Community,

I am writing to express solidarity with students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have been affected by harassment and hate crimes toward Asians, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and other individuals in recent times during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hubbard School is committed to reporting, storytelling, and advocating in ways that strengthen communication and community. 

Our mission is to help students discover their voices, and elevate them while learning, researching, and serving the community. Good journalism holds as a cornerstone the important values of uncovering the truth and speaking truth to power.

I particularly want to commend journalists in our local Minneapolis-St. Paul community who have produced outstanding stories during this period while witnessing increased anti-Asian acts. According to the Stop AAPI Hate Reporting Center, there have been 3,795 reports of anti-Asian discrimination between March 19, 2020 and February 28, 2021, reflecting a national trend of increased targeted hate incidents since the pandemic began.

I also want to share resources that may be of value to you: You may learn more about ways to Stop AAPI Hate from their website, on Twitter, and Facebook. Support and follow the Asian Americans Journalists Association on Twitter, and read their recent statement, “AAJA Condemns Anti-Asian Racism and Challenges Newsrooms to Prioritize Coverage of Anti-Asian Violence.”

Not only do I, and other members of the school community, condemn anti-Asian violence, racism, and hate, we also acknowledge that these incidents are occurring against a backdrop of racial injustice more broadly affecting our community. As we continue to demand change and commit to acts of anti-racism, I hope that we will continue to lift up and support one another during this time. We must continue to use the tools of journalism and ethical public relations to bring strength to our voices and work together to root out and confront racist hate.

Sincerely,

Elisia

Elisia L. Cohen, Ph.D.
Professor and Director | Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication
University of Minnesota | hsjmc.umn.edu
111 Murphy Hall, 205 Church St SE, 
Minneapolis, MN 55455
[email protected] | (612) 625-1338
she/her/hers

To schedule a meeting, contact:
Katerina Schuh, Executive Assistant, [email protected]